small tripod for travel

[Hollis]

I am looking for a small, lightweight tripod that I can travel with and will still let me shoot my Wista 4x5 while I travel. I like to try and drive to where I need to shoot but some times, it is just not possible (Kenya, Kaliningrad, Mongolia, etc.).

So, I am thinking that I would like to get something with at least 2 sections and is lightweight but damnit, the carbon ones are expensive. Something that would fit in a standard rolling suitcase (carry on size) is what I want and taking the head off to travel is not a problem.

So, any suggestions would be very helpful. Oh, and to mention, I shoot a 210 at the longest but 90% of the time I shoot a 150 therefore, Im not too worried about hanging 2 feet of bellows in the wind.

H.

[Robert Oliver]

I love my feisol tripod. Great product at a great price... contact Kerry at reallybigcameras.com... he will set you up with the right legs.

they fold up around the head to save space if that makes any sense... super light weight and simple design to boot.

[Hollis]

Ill look into those, sounds interesting.

H.

[Matus Kalisky]

I got a Feisol Tournament CT-3442 together with a ball head Photo Clam PC-33NS (both from Kerry at www.reallybigcameras.com) and I am fully satisfied. I do not believe that you can put together much lighter or more compact combo. I travelled with it 3 weeks through New Zealand and it worked perfectly. Kerry was also very helpful (and also patient) when I was choosing the tripod/head combination.

The only little downside is that the tripod does not have the "anti rotation" leg element feature, so it takes a little more time to fold/unfold, but it is rock solid and very well made. The head also does an amazing job - VERY light and still very stable.

I used it with my Tachi 4x5 with lenses 75 - 400 (500g tele lens) and had no problem. You only have to keep in mind that with such a light tripod the whole setup is a bit top heavy, so just be careful not to tip it over. I used the Photo Clam long quick release plate that fits the Tachi perfectly with its two 1/4" screws. I also used this setup with my Rolleiflex T - a perfect match.

Ah - and the tripod (without the center column) is actually cca 2cm taller than stated in the specs - in my case it was just enough to leave the center column at home.

I just attach my setup as my wife snapped it in the Mt.Cook valley.

[Ron Marshall]

You'll won't regret buying carbon fiber, and you'll wonder why you didn't buy it sooner.

[Frank Petronio]

I've had really nice CF Gitzos and they are worth it, so one of Kerry's Chinese ones would be at the top of my list for a new tripod. But if you are poor, the most tripod for the money is a $100 Leitz-era Tiltall. I found that most of my work is handheld so it was silly to have $1200 tied up in a tripod/head but it was awesome the few times I used it.

If your budget is only $100 or so and you want to fit into a 9x14x20" carry-on your choice is limited to a short #2 Gitzo, used on eBay, but even if you use the center column you'll be hard pressed to break 48-inches tall. That wouldn't work for me.

There are also some old-school "Cullmans" from Germany that pack small.

[wfwhitaker]

I may get laughed out of town for suggesting this, but a Crown Graflex No. 1 may be worth consideration. I just sold one and the packed shipping weight was about 3 1/2 pounds, so the tripod itself is certainly lighter. Although it looks spindly, it's surprisingly rigid and would be adequate for a lightweight 4x5 such as your Wista. The legs remove from the crown and fold so that the whole package will easily fit in a carry-on. They seem to sell for around $100, give or take. You would need to add a head, of course. Or not.

On the other hand, I have Gitzo G1228 which I purchased used and it works very well for my 5x7 and 6x10. In the long run you'd probably be happier with a modern tripod. The Crown is suggested as a less expensive, but lightweight option.

http://wfwhitaker.com/forsale/crown1_1.jpg

[Ben Syverson]

I picked up a used Gitzo 1550T a while back. It's a carbon fiber travel tripod that weighs nothing and fits in even a small shoulder bag.

Carbon fiber is the best because it absorbs vibrations, as opposed to aluminum which transmits them.

I've shot a lot of 4x5 and 8x10 on that tripod. The stock ballhead is plenty sturdy for my equipment...

Edit: Here it is in action.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3335/3208165802_6fc3c08fa6.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bensyverson/3208165802/)

And here is the tripod (not visible) packed in my bag, along with the 8x10:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3144/2730432288_c3ba6ee7f9.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bensyverson/2730432288/)

[Frank Petronio]

Wow that is really extreme because the lower leg extensions look like pencils to me!

Is that all you use? And you never loose a photo due to the tripod wiggling or sinking or something? Or have the tilting camera lever it over? Wouldn't loading a film holder shift everything?

[Brian Ellis]

Feisol.

[Henry Ambrose]

I have one of these and I've even used it with my 8X10 (a bit much really but doable if I can't carry a big tripod). Its great with a 4x5 field camera. Carbon fiber tripod and head for under $300.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/258642-REG/Hakuba_HG503MX_HG_503MX_Carbon_Fiber_3_Section.html

[rfesk]

Just depends on how much you want to carry and how compact it must be.

I will be in Belarus for 2 weeks or so at the end of July. And I have to carry everything on my person - sometimes all day. That means major compromises in what I can carry. And I carry a Domke 803. This trip, I will have a 9X12 folder with me in addition to other cameras.

From experience 3 lbs for a tripod + head is too much. I plan to take a Leitz (or Bogen) table top with a Really Right Stuff BH25 head mounted.

Previously mentioned: "The only little downside is that the tripod does not have the "anti rotation" leg element feature, so it takes a little more time to fold/unfold, but it is rock solid and very well made."

I have an older Gitzo 1228 which does not have the "anti-rotation" feature. Here is a fast technique to put it into action - also works for the Fiesols.

To set up the tripod.
1) Hold the tripod sideways with your left hand holding the head. 2) Starting with the locking collar FAREST from the head, unlock each section of the leg until all sections are unlocked.
3) Then, pull the leg out with one long pull.
4) Continuing to hold the tripod horizonally, lock each section beginning at the section CLOSEST to the head and work out.

Do each leg in turn.

Taking it down is basically the reverse.

It you hadn't figured out that sequence before now you will find it really speeds up the process of putting these tripods into action. I don't even mind the four section G1228.

[Ben Syverson]

Wow that is really extreme because the lower leg extensions look like pencils to me!

Is that all you use? And you never loose a photo due to the tripod wiggling or sinking or something? Or have the tilting camera lever it over? Wouldn't loading a film holder shift everything?
They really are about pencil diameter at the bottom! But it's much sturdier than you would imagine. I've never lost a shot due to the tripod -- far from wiggling, it actually absorbs vibrations. The setup depicted was a 2 second exposure in a light breeze, and it's plenty sharp.

I shoot pretty straight-on, so I don't typically tilt the camera very much. But if I did, I would just attach a weight to the hook on the center column. When I shoot 8x10 in the studio, I hang my 4x5 from the hook to anchor it a bit more. :)

And of course, in keeping with my extremist tendencies, the other "tripod" I'm searching for is a Century Studio Stand. :D

[Frank Petronio]

More power to you if it works. You should do a thread showing your ultralight 8x10 set-up with your Gowland and how you have things set-up. How many holders do you lug?

[D. Bryant]

Wow that is really extreme because the lower leg extensions look like pencils to me!

Is that all you use? And you never loose a photo due to the tripod wiggling or sinking or something? Or have the tilting camera lever it over? Wouldn't loading a film holder shift everything?

I use a Gitzo GT1541T with a Markins Q3 ballhead. It's very sturdy and easy to travel with.

Don Bryant

[Hollis]

All very good suggestions. I find that I tend to leave the 4x5 home more often than not for the sole reason of not being that I can not bring my tripod with me. So, if I could have a small, compact light weight one, I will shoot more 4x5. Hell, Im sitting in the Kansas City airport as I write this and it is a zoo, I just have to take that into consideration with bags. Oh, Ill probably be flying to AK in a week or so, spending a week or so and then buying a beater car and driving home (tripod not and issue then). So, anyone need a ride from somewhere between Anchorage and Nashville at the end of June???

[Hollis]

I bought a feisol tripod today and it should be on my doorstep thursday. Im pretty excited to finally have a travel tripod.

[Turner Reich]

I bought a feisol tripod today and it should be on my doorstep thursday. Im pretty excited to finally have a travel tripod.

Which one did you order?

[Kirk Fry]

I am late to the party but maybe this will help someone else. I needed a cheapo tripod for my roll on travel bag and my Crown. I ended up with a Slik Pro340DX. It fits easily into a travel bag and is very light. Best part is that it works great with my Crown Graphic. I paid about $100 for it and so far I am very impressed. Yes I know Slik has had a spotty reputation but this one is great for what it is. I own 4 tripods and lately in order of use it is Slik, Tiltall (Leitz circa 1970), CarbonFiber Bogen, and Majestic. The weights are pretty much in that order too. KFry